Interview from sport.sk
Talented goalkeeper originally wasn't supposed to go to the Canadian tournament at the turn of the year, but in the end, the coaches took him at the last minute, and from the position of the third goalkeeper, he rose to become the best goalkeeper of the Under-20 World Championships. In four matches, he maintained an average of 2.4 goals per game with a 93.6% success rate. He showcased his talent especially in the amazing quarter-final against star-studded Canada. Thanks to him, the Slovaks troubled the favorite and fell only after a 3-4 overtime result and 53 saves by the emerging goalkeeper star.
"I don't think about the quarter-final anymore. Even after the match itself and Connor Bedard's winning goal in overtime, I didn't realize what was happening. I was primarily very tired. A few days after the tournament, it weighed on me a bit, how close we were to eliminating such a loaded Canada, which doesn't usually have such a star-studded lineup every year at the championships. They were afraid of us until the last second. A few months after the game, I watched it with my American host family, with whom I live in Chippewa. Maybe I could have done even more, but I can't change it anymore," Adam Gaján spoke.
Since then, no one doubts the young man anymore. His qualities are evidenced by the fact that he recently presented himself at the NHL combine along with five compatriots, where scouts select a hundred talents before the draft. "The tests went great, I was satisfied with them. I placed quite well. I talked to 19 teams because some teams didn't have goalie scouts at the combine. But before that, I spoke with representatives of thirty clubs," Gaján explained, revealing the teams with greater interest. "Chicago, Nashville, and New Jersey were more interested, but you never know how it will all turn out."
The name of the nineteen-year-old hockey player is highly regarded in scouting notes. The proof is that he could become the highest-drafted Slovak goalkeeper in history. The record is held by Peter Budaj, who was selected by Colorado in the 2nd round, 63rd overall, in 2001. The native of Banská Bystrica later made it to the NHL, where he played 368 games. Only Jaroslav Halák is better off among his compatriots.
"I don't focus on that, I can't influence it anymore. I tried to perform as well as possible during the season, I'm not stressed about it. It can't turn out badly. I'm looking forward to the draft, but I'm not unnecessarily stressed. I'm mainly happy that there were only six of us at the combine, and maybe there will be a double-digit number of Slovaks drafted," the talented goalkeeper smiled.
HE TIPS THE SECOND ROUND HIMSELF It is harder to predict in which round goalies might go. "Somewhere in the first or second round, maybe the third. I think that if nothing unexpected happens, I'll be in the second round. But it doesn't matter. Some goalies were drafted high and never appeared in the NHL. Then you have someone like the great Sergei Bobrovsky, who didn't even go through the draft," he added his view.
Adam Gaján is said to be the potentially best goalie in the upcoming draft. He is competing for the hypothetical top position with Czech Michael Hrabal. "I saw a few articles, read and heard about it. This year has changed a lot, but I feel the same as last year. I knew about my qualities, I just needed a chance," he pondered.
With his Czech rival, he became friends at the combine. "We didn't know each other before, but we became friends in Buffalo and spent a lot of time together. Michael isn't very good at PlayStation. We played a match against each other, Slovakia versus the Czech Republic, from the junior championship, and I won 11-1," Gajan laughed, able to evaluate the virtual Gajan's skills in the video game.
"Slovakia had a better goalkeeper, even though the character in the game didn't resemble me at all. I had different equipment there, my face wasn't there, only my name on the jersey. On the other hand, I played well and only conceded one goal out of 25 shots. I can't complain," the young man continued in a good mood.
The skillful goalkeeper reiterated that he always believed in himself, he just had to patiently wait for his opportunity. "Of course, I've improved a lot during this year. I was a good goalkeeper last year as well, but I never had a chance to show it in matches. I believed that I could perform as I know how to. I'm happy with how it turned out. I'll strive to improve every year. Perhaps I'm a good example for younger boys. Some goalkeepers have been in the national team since they were fifteen, going through all the categories. I wasn't there, but I waited, and it came at the Under-20 level. Patience and hard work are necessary," he said determinedly.
PATIENCE AND ANOTHER YEAR IN JUNIORS Logic suggests that the turning point came at the junior championship in Canada, but Gajan sees it differently. "There were many things, but the turning point came three years ago in Skalica. I don't want to talk much about Poprad. If I had stayed there, none of this would likely have happened. I came to Skalica. They prepared me for everything there, and from there, I moved to America. Perhaps people started noticing me after the World Championships. However, things started earlier, and it was heading in the right direction even before the championship when I attended the NAHL camp before the season. All the teams presented themselves at once, and after playing two games, I talked with twenty universities. Nobody understood where I came from."
Several juniors head to the more well-known American junior league, the USHL, but NAHL also has its name, where Gajan played most of the season. The quality of the competition is evidenced by the fact that many players move on to the university level NCAA from there. In the American junior league, many NHL goaltenders like Ben Bishop, Craig Anderson, Cory Schneider, and star Connor Hellebuyck played.
The name Gajan resonates enormously in the hockey community. The young man needs to prepare himself for more pressure. "I don't feel it at all for now. I don't feel pressure from other people. I create it for myself only. We'll see how it changes. I'm not afraid of it. I think it will be fine."
After the NHL combine in Buffalo, the Slovak goalkeeper moved to Chippewa, where he will go to the draft in Nashville. "I've arranged ice sessions. I also have a goaltending coach from Minnesota. Everything is taken care of. I have the best family. I stayed in America, and after the draft, I'll come to Slovakia for a few weeks."
The great talent of Slovak hockey has reached an agreement with the renowned University of Minnesota-Duluth, from which NHL players regularly emerge every year, but he will play another year in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers. He played six games for the team in the previous season. "We talked about the importance of patience for a goaltender. I don't want to play at the highest level in just one year. I want to be the best in five years to make it to the NHL. That's why another year in juniors will help me achieve my long-term goal. It's good to take slower steps and get a lot of experience," the young man said.
When asked if he plans to play in the NHL at 24 years old, he laughed. "I said that just like that. The plan is to play in Green Bay next year, then go to university, and then we'll see. I believe that one day I'll manage to reach the best hockey league in the world," Adam Gajan concluded.
ADMIRING VASILEVSKIY Adam Gajan also has a clear opinion on which goaltenders among the world's stars he likes the most right now. "Andrej Vasilevskiy is undoubtedly the best goaltender of recent years in the NHL. He moves incredibly well, he's amazing. Then I also like Sergei Bobrovsky. I like them both," said the Slovak goalkeeper.
